Astros' Alex Bregman hates MLB rules that keep him from playing the Celebrity All-Star Game: "Wish I could play in this game, but I’m not allowed to" 

Alex Bregman is one of the best third basemen in baseball and a two-time World Series champion. Most young athletes would dream of doing that, but a young Bregman had different dreams: he wanted to be an NBA star.

Eventually, that dream fizzled out and he pursued baseball, but he still has a soft spot for basketball. Shockingly enough, he's going to be about as close as he can be to the game very soon.

He has reportedly been asked to be an assistant coach at the NBA's Celebrity All-Star Game later this month.

Bregman said via USA Today that he wishes he wasn't just a coach:

“I can’t believe it. I remember the last All-Star Game I went to was in Phoenix in 2011, watching Kobe Bryant win the MVP award, and Shaq coming out dancing onto the court. The place was electric. It is so much fun. Man, I really wish I could play in this game, but I’m not allowed to.’’

Unfortunately, MLB rules prohibit its players from participating in any other sport. It's so that they won't get injured doing anything non-baseball related, but it does come with major drawbacks.

Other sports have players that participate, like Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett, but the MLB doesn't allow it. Once players retire, they can play, though.

That's exactly what future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols is doing, and he ended up on Bregman's team:

“I never thought I’d be the one coaching Albert in anything. I don’t know what’s going to happen on the court, but I’m sure going to be asking for baseball pointers while I’m there.’’

Bregman still has to wait to achieve his dream of playing the game, but until he retires, being an assistant coach will have to suffice.

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How long has Alex Bregman played in the MLB?

Given that Alex Bregman was one of the top college baseball players when he was drafted, it shouldn't be a surprise that he effectively went straight to the Houston Astros.

Alex Bregman is a longtime Astros star

He debuted in 2016 and is signed with the team through the 2024 season, so he will spend at least nine seasons with Houston.